Sewer cleaner



NOV. 24, 1931. J, ARBOSUCKQS 1,832,957

SEWER CLEANER Filed March 9, i951 2 3 I 3 I3 I 2 20 I :11: 2 h, l/ fi E 6 li: 6

v 2! 5 :fl" 3/ FIG. 4.

luv 5 INVENTOR. John Arbn suckus ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 24, 1931 PATENT IUHN 'ARIBOSUCKOS} OF CARNEGTE- SEWER CLEANER Application filed March 9, 1931. Serial No; 521,386.

.Thisinvention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning" and opening sewers, pipes, drains, sinks, conduits, traps and the like an'dfor removingobstacles, sewage, and cot-her blocking substances therefrom by the application ofsteam under pressure.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a portable device for quickly building up a quantity of steam under pressure and 19 having suitable means for application of such steam to the sewer or blocked drain that is to be opened.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the invention is hereinafter described and explained.

It has been customary heretofore to place lye and other corrosive chemicals in sewer pipes and drains to try to dissolve grease, dirt and other obstacles in an elfort to open the same to a clear passageway. Not only are these chemicals more or less dangerous to handle on account of their burning and corrosive action to the operators skin, eyes, etc., as well as attacking floor paint, Woodwork, etc., but they are also inefiicient at times and not wholly reliable. Furthermore when the blocking refuse is not close to the working end of the pipe, the chemicals are weakened and diluted in strength by the time they reach the obstacle. This often necessitates the use of complex devices for boring and rotating long Wires thru the entire drain or pipe by mechanism requiring more than one man for operating, or may require the actual excavation of the pipe for removal and cleaning.

My invention obviates these disadvantages in that it provides a small portable apparatus that can be manned and operated by one person without danger of being burned by chemicals nor without danger of marring furniture, walls, floors, orpaint by its use. Furthermore, it'is simple in operation, requiring but a few minutes to place in service, 1 and the results are sure and reliable, thus preventing expense, delay, discomfort and the possible continuance of unsanitary conditions, which are so repulsive to those of refinement. My preferred apparatus is indicated in the 5 accompanying drawings.

Figure 1* is a"viewinside'elevatien showing the adapter in bottom pl'an;

Figure Q -isw planrviewofthe device-shown in Figurel.

Figure Sis a sectional view-of the device shoi'iv' n in. Figure 1 witli tlie" adapter-infirm! view. a

Figure'l is a transverse sectioirt'akenalong fihHllHBM'OfFlQlf 'Figureb isaview'in elevationof a-modified type -of adapter. Referring-' 'to the drawings Elie numeral 1 is an outercasifnghaving perforations 2 therein at its conical shaped top: portion.- Housed Within" the outer casin is-thestemm eneratingmember 3 adapted to contain Water and spaced from the casing 1 by the spacing clips 5, thus forming a (aircumferential passage 6* tlierebetween. The steanr generates? is of cylindrical construe tionand has a cone-shaped to 'o 'f correspond ingto the cone top ofl casingl' Tlieg'enerator is provided with aJ-v ert-ica l cylindrical recessedporttion Siirtlie body thereof extend ingffronrairopen end at tlie 'base of thegenerator 'upwardly 'to comnumicate with a; numher 01"" horizoi'itallydisposed transverse" assages 9, Whiclrpassages -=co1nmunicate in" turn with the outside passage 6. A water gauge 10 passes thru bot-h'outer easing 1- andgen'erator easing 3* at the upper end thereof. A watersupply conduit 11' carrying funnel 12 andcock- 1 3 1)usses thru' outercasing 1 and generator 3, and is disposed vertically to the bottom of-the generator: Thestea n exit pipe 14 passesthru 't-"heapices d the-cones of generator 3 and easing 1 and hasa flexible hose or" tubing 1 5" connected therewith; An adapter 16 is suitably joined 'to-the flexible hose 15 by any suitable means such as nut 17 If desired; adapter 16" can be replaced by any other suitable adapter 18, asshown in Figure 5. A flame shield 19 provided with spring-clips QO"detacli'ably secured to outer casingl by means of complemental receiv ilig sockets 21 therein, prevents any suitable torch 22troln beingblown out and also conserves radi atediheat;

- The operation of-my device is as follows; The petcock-'01 valve=13 is-opened and a suitable amount of water is poured into funnel 12 until the water shows a level higher than the lower end of the gauge. The valve 13 is closed, and the adapter 16 inserted into the pipe to be cleared. Heat is applied to the generator by a suitable torch at its base. The generator is heated directly and also by the hot air currents passing upwardly thru the vertical passage 8, transverse passages 9 and circumferential passage 6. The products of combustion as well as the air deprived of most of its sensible heat pass out thru the perforations 2 in the top of the casing. A mixture of steam and boiling water, both under pressure, is thus forced thru the hose 15, adapter 16 into the blocked drain pipe. This mixture of steam and Water under pressure quickly and efliciently clears the blocked drain in a few minutes.

The adapter 16 preferably comprises a steel cone-shaped plug provided with a rubber washer secured thereto by a steel plate at the bottom thereof. A bolt below the steel plate screws upwardly in cooperation with a thumb or wing nut bolt screwing downwardly, thus making the cone and plate fit tightly against the washer. The adapter 16 is preferably used for cleaning a four inch sewer pipe. For a 1 inch diameter pipe, I prefer to use the adapter 18 as shown in Figure 5. In this case, it is provided with a rubber washer 22 of about 2 inch diameter and the whole adaptor is capable of being held down by hand until the pressure breaks thru the pipe.

My generator isadapted to hold about 6% quarts of water or other liquid and is about inches high and 7% inches in diameter. The outer casing has a diameter of about 8 inches, and the entire device weighs about 25 pounds. The brackets 5 are preferably made of copper and soldere d, brazed or welded to the generator to keep the same firmly in place. The shield 19 is preferably about 12 inches hig 1.

As will be understood, the circulation of the heat thru the various passages gives greater efiiciency. The number of passages can be increased, if desired. The water gauge 10 may be dispensed with, but I prefer to have it. Similarly, the water supply pipe may be suitably positioned at another .part of the device.

v I have found that a passage can be cleared in a four inch pipe in about ten or fifteen minutes.

. -Having described my invention in accordancewith the provisions of the patent statutes, what I claim is:

A portable device for cleaning drains and the like comprising in combination a cylindrical shell open at its base and closed at its top with a cone-shaped perforated cap, an inner steam cylindrical generator member having a cone-shaped cap and disposed Within the outer shell and spaced therefrom to cylindrical flame shield detachably secured to the outer shell and serving as a standard for the apparatus, said outer shell having sockets thereinv and said flame shield having spring fingers arranged to engage in said sockets.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand.

JOHN- ARBOSUCKOS. 

